Filming at Holy Christian Sites

Jesus spent his life in the hills of Judea and the Galilee, as is recorded in the New Testament. Throughout the country there are Christian holy sites and places of significance during Jesus’ life. One area that is filled with references to Jesus is the Old City of Jerusalem and in particular the Christian Quarter. This quarter of the Old City houses the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Via Dolorosa. For people interested in Christian subjects, the Old City is a place that should not be missed. It affords filmmakers with a plethora of striking churches as well as some of the most important places in Christian theology.

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher – believed to be where Jesus was crucified and buried, the present church is mostly from the 12th century Crusader construction and has undergone many renovations that continue to today. Ownership rights to the church are complex but the church is mainly under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox, the Armenian Orthodox, and the Roman Catholic. The church has a special ambiance, particularly in the early morning hours and due to its intricate design and architecture, is a fantastic place to film, and a must for anyone interested in Jesus’ life and the history of Christianity.

The Via Dolorosa – literally “The Path of Sorrow,” is also known as the “Way of the Cross,” where Jesus Christ, condemned to death, made his way, carrying the heavy cross on which he was to be crucified. The traditional route of the Via Dolorosa includes fourteen stations, where each station represents a separate milestone in Jesus’ long walk from condemnation to crucifixion.

The Garden Tomb – According to Protestant tradition this enchanting garden contains the tomb of Jesus. The burial cave was accidentally discovered in 1867 and is a wonderful place to film in general and a must for those interested in Protestant tradition. In the film Thomas Kinkade Drawing the Holy Land, the famous American artist, Thomas Kinkade, spent a couple of hours in the garden painting the grave. It is a beautiful spot with religious significance located conveniently in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City.